Method and apparatus for chemical synthesis

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for forming a chemical hydride is described and which includes a pseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor which is operable to receive a solution capable of forming a chemical hydride and which further includes a cathode and a movable anode, and wherein the anode is moved into and out of fluidic, ohmic electrical contact with the solution capable of forming a chemical hydride and which further, when energized produces an oxygen plasma which facilitates the formation of a chemical hydride in the solution.

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

This invention was made with Government support under ContractDE-AC07-99ID13727 between the U.S. Department of Energy and Bechtel BWXTIdaho, LLC. The Government has certain rights in the invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for chemicalsynthesis, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for forming achemical hydride which employs an ionizing gas which encourages theformation of a chemical hydride in a solution.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that most of the energy currently utilized in the worldis derived from fossil energy sources. These fossil energy sources arefinite in quantity, and the extraction, processing, and utilization ofthese fossil energy sources has generated various environmental problemswhich are well known. Researchers through the years have attempted toaddress these various environmental issues by focusing theirinvestigative efforts into the development of new sources of energy,such as nuclear power. Still further, in recent decades, much attentionhas been spent on the development of various devices such fuel cellswhich, in theory, could be utilized to power overland vehicles andproduce electricity for assorted other purposes thereby reducing theworlds dependence on fossil fuel sources.

While various fuel cells, and other arrangements have been proposed andwhich would appear to address, to some degree, these environmentalconcerns, an economical way of producing a fuel for fuel cells, such ashydrogen has remained elusive.

One of several proposed prior art solutions to this dilemma includes theuse of a metal hydride which, when combined with water, would producehydrogen which could then be utilized by various devices such as fuelcells, internal combustion engines; and the like, to produce a usefuloutput such as electricity.

Several metal hydrides have been suggested for this use. One of the morepromising metal hydrides on which much research has been conductedincludes the compound sodium borohydride. Currently sodium borohydrideis utilized as a reducing agent and as a blowing agent for plastics.Sodium borohydride, is currently produced from the reaction of sodiumhydride and trimethyl borate. When sodium borohydride is subsequentlyreacted with water, and in the presence, for example, of a rutheniumcatalyst, hydrogen gas is generated along with sodium metaborate andheat. This sodium metaborate can be recycled in a second chemicalreaction by combining it with water plus electricity to produce sodiumborohydride and oxygen gas.

While this compound would appear, on a cursory analysis, as being a veryattractive means by which hydrogen could be safely stored and thenreleased at a remote location, the costs associated with producingsodium borohydride is still cost prohibitive in relative comparison tothe use of traditional fossil fuels such as gasoline.

A method and apparatus for forming a chemical hydride which addressesthe shortcomings attendant with the prior art devices and practicesutilized heretofore is the subject matter of the present application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a method offorming a chemical hydride, which includes providing a composition whichis capable of forming a chemical hydride; forming a solution of thecomposition; and creating an ionizing oxygen gas over the solution ofthe composition to encourage the formation of the chemical hydride inthe solution.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method offorming a chemical hydride which includes, providing apseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor defining a cavity; providing acathode, and mounting the cathode in a fixed location in the cavity;providing a moveable anode, and mounting the anode for movement withinthe cavity; supplying an aqueous solution of sodium metaborate and waterto the cavity of the pseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor; providing anuclear reactor which simultaneous heats the aqueous solution of thesodium borate and water, and further generates electrical power; andsupplying the electrical power generated by the nuclear reactor to theanode and the cathode to create an ionizing oxygen plasma over theaqueous solution of the sodium borate and which facilitates the chemicalgeneration of sodium borohydride.

Still further, another aspect of the present invention relates to anapparatus for creating a chemical hydride and which includes apseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor having top and bottom surfaces, anddefining a cavity; an aqueous solution of sodium metaborate and waterreceived within the cavity of the pseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor; acathode fixedly mounted on the bottom surface of thepseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor and which is disposed in fluidic,ohmic electrical contact with the aqueous solution; an anode moveablymounted on the top surface of the pseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor andwhich selectively moves into, and out of, fluidic, ohmic electricalcontact with aqueous solution; a nuclear reactor which has a hot gasoutput which provides heat energy; a first heat exchanger coupled influid flowing relation relative to the hot gas output, and which isoperable to absorb the heat energy of the hot gas output flowingtherethrough, and wherein the first heat exchanger is further disposedin fluid flowing relation relative to the cavity of thepseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor, and wherein the aqueous solutionflows through first heat exchanger to absorb the heat energy provided bythe hot gas output to increase the temperature thereof; a second heatexchanger disposed in fluid flowing relation relative to the hot gasoutput, and which is operable to absorb the heat energy of the hot gasflowing therethrough; a source of water coupled in fluid flowingrelation relative to the second heat exchanger, and wherein the sourceof water absorbs the heat energy previously absorbed by the second heatexchanger, and is converted into a source of high pressure steam; asteam turbine coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the secondheat exchanger, and which is operable to receive the source of highpressure steam and produce a mechanical energy output; a generatorcoupled to the mechanical energy output of the steam turbine, and whichgenerates a source of electricity which is selectively supplied to theanode and the cathode; and an actuator coupled in force transmittingrelation relative to the anode and which moves the actuator into, andout of, fluidic contact with the aqueous solution, and wherein theactuator, when energized, moves the anode into fluidic ohmic electricalcontact with the aqueous solution, and wherein following contact of theanode with aqueous solution, the source of electricity is applied to theanode and the cathode to create an electrical current in the aqueoussolution, and wherein the actuator is then energized to move the anodeout of fluidic, ohmic electrical contact with the aqueous solution toform an oxygen plasma therebetween the anode and the aqueous solution,and wherein the formation of the plasma facilitates the chemicalreaction of the sodium metaborate and water to produce oxygen gas andsodium borohydride in the aqueous solution.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be discussed ingreater detail hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below withreference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 serves to explain the method and an apparatus for practicing theclaimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of theconstitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progressof science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

The method and apparatus for forming a chemical hydride is generallyindicated by the numeral 10 as seen in the drawing.

As shown therein, the method and apparatus 10 includes a hightemperature gas cooled nuclear reactor which is generally indicated bythe numeral 11. This high temperature gas cooled nuclear reactor 11includes a plurality of fuel rods 12 which generate a significant amountof heat energy during a controlled nuclear reaction. The gas coolednuclear reactor includes a container 13 which surrounds the fuel rods,and which further defines a cold helium gas intake 14, and a hot heliumgas output, or exhaust which is generally indicated by the numeral 15.

As seen in the drawing, a first heat exchanger, which is generallyindicated by the numeral 20, is coupled in fluid flowing relationrelative to the hot helium gas exhaust 15 of the high temperature gascooled nuclear reactor 11. As seen in the drawing, the first heatexchanger 20 has a first end 21, and an opposite second end 22. A firstfluid pathway 23 couples the hot helium gas exhaust 15 to the first end21 of the first heat exchanger. The hot helium gas produced by the hightemperature gas cooled nuclear reactor 11 passes through the first heatexchanger 20, and the first heat exchanger is operable to absorb theheat energy provided by the hot helium gas and transfer it to an aqueoussolution of borate and water which also passes through the same heatexchanger as will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

Still further, a second fluid pathway 24 is provided, and which couplesthe first heat exchanger 20 in fluid flowing relation relative to thecold helium gas intake 14. Therefore, it will be seen that the firstheat exchanger 20 is operable to receive heated helium gas, absorb aportion of the heat energy from same, and then return the cold heliumgas to the high temperature gas cooled reactor 11 to be reheated againduring subsequent nuclear reactions.

Referring still to the drawing, a second heat exchanger 30 is provided,and which is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the hot gasexhaust 15 of the high temperature gas cooled nuclear reactor 11. Thesecond heat exchanger 30 has a first end 31, and an opposite second end32. A third fluid pathway 33 couples the hot helium gas exhaust 15 tothe first end 31 of the second heat exchanger. Similar to the earlierdescribed first heat exchanger 20, the second heat exchanger 30 iscapable of absorbing the heat energy of the hot helium gas, and transferthat heat energy, so absorbed, so as to generate a source of electricalpower. This process will be discussed in greater detail below. A fourthfluid pathway 34 is provided, and which couples the second end of thesecond heat exchanger 30 in fluid flowing relation relative to the coldhelium gas intake 14. Therefore, it will be seen that the hot helium gasexhaust 15 is coupled to a pair of heat exchangers 20 and 30 forpurposes of transferring that same heat energy to other fluids for thepurposes which will be discussed below.

Referring still to the drawing, it will be understood that a source ofwater generally indicated by the numeral 40 is coupled in fluid flowingrelation relative to the second heat exchanger 30. The source of waterupon being exposed to the heat energy absorbed by the second heatexchanger 30 is converted to a source of high pressure steam 41. A steamturbine 42 is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the sourceof high pressure steam 41, and which, when exposed to the high pressuresteam, produces a mechanical energy output 43 which is supplied to agenerator 44. The generator 44 upon receiving the mechanical energyoutput of the steam turbine generates a source of electrical power whichis transmitted from the generator by way of electrical pathways 46 and47, respectively to a pseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor 60. Thepseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor 60 is defined by a top surface 61; anopposite bottom surface 62; and a sidewall 63 which joins the top andbottom surfaces together. The top, bottom and sidewall surfaces definean internal cavity 64. Still further, a gas passageway 65 is formed inthe top surface 61 and communicates with the internal cavity 64 for thepurposes which will be described, hereinafter. Yet further, an actuator66 is mounted on the top surface 61 and is operable to move an anode ina prescribed path of travel within the cavity 64 relative to a fixedcathode as will be described below.

An aqueous solution of sodium metaborate and water 70 is provided andreceived within the cavity 64 of the pseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor60. As will be recognized by a study of the drawing, a fifth fluidpathway 71 is provided, and which couples the cavity 64 in fluid flowingrelation relative to the first heat exchanger 20. As should beunderstood, this fifth fluid pathway 71 permits the aqueous solution 70to flow through the first heat exchanger to absorb the heat energyprovided by the hot helium gas which is supplied from the hot heliumexhaust 15 to increase the temperature of the solution. A cathode 80 isfixedly mounted in a submerged location in the aqueous solution ofsodium metaborate and water 70 and on the bottom surface 62 of thepseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor 60. As such, the cathode is disposedin fluidic, ohmic electrical contact with the same aqueous solution.

As seen in the drawing, an anode 90 is moveably mounted on the topsurface 61 of the pseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor 60, and isselectively moveable into and out of fluidic, ohmic electrical contactwith the aqueous solution, formed of the sodium metaborate and water 70in order to create an ionizing oxygen gas over the solution. Thisionizing gas encourages the formation of a desirable chemical hydride,such as sodium borohydride in the aqueous solution of sodium metaborateand water 70. The anode 90 is movable into and out of fluidic, ohmicelectrical contact with the solution 70 by way of the actuator 66 which,when energized, moves the anode along a path of travel which isgenerally indicated by the numeral 91.

The method of forming a chemical hydride of the present inventionincludes the steps of providing a composition, such as the aqueoussolution of sodium metaborate and water 70, and which is capable offorming a chemical hydride; forming a solution of the composition 70;and creating an ionizing gas 92 over the solution of the composition toencourage the formation of the chemical hydride in the solution. In themethod which is generally described above, the step of creating anionizing gas 92 over the solution of the composition, which typicallycomprises sodium metaborate and water, comprises creating or generatingan oxygen plasma over the solution of the composition 70. As can beappreciated from a study of the drawing, the method also includesproviding a pseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor 60 which encloses thesolution formed of the composition 70; and creating an electricalcurrent in the solution of the composition 70 to form the ionizing gas92 over the solution. As will be recognized from the drawings, theelectrical pathways 46 and 47 provide the electrical power 45 which isgenerated by the generator 44, to the anode 90 and the cathode 80,respectively. In the method described above, the step of creating theionizing gas 92 over the solution of the composition 70 includes thesteps of first moving the anode 90 into direct fluidic, ohmic electricalcontact with the solution of the composition 70 which is typicallyformed of sodium metaborate and water; second, energizing the anode 90and the cathode 80 to create an electrical current through the solutionof the composition and between the anode and the cathode to establish aninitial electrolysis to generate the oxygen gas at the anode forsubsequent ionization 92; and third, while generating the oxygen gas,moving the anode 90 out of fluidic, ohmic electrical contact with thesolution of the composition 70 to create the ionized oxygen gas 92 overthe solution 70 of the composition, and between the spaced anode 90 andthe solution 70.

The method as described above further includes providing a hightemperature gas cooled nuclear reactor 11 which has a hot gas exhaust 15having heat energy; providing a first heat exchanger 20 coupled in fluidflowing relation relative the hot gas exhaust 15, and wherein the firstheat exchanger 20 absorbs a portion of the heat energy from the hot gasexhaust; coupling the solution of the composition 70 in fluid flowingrelation relative to the first heat exchanger by way of a fluid pathway71; and wherein the heat energy absorbed by the first heat exchanger 20heats the solution of the composition 70 to a temperature; providing asecond heat exchanger 30 coupled in fluid flowing relation relative tothe hot gas exhaust 15, and wherein the second heat exchanger 30 absorbsa portion of the heat energy from the hot gas exhaust 15; providing asource of water 40 to the second heat exchanger 30, and wherein the heatenergy absorbed by the second heat exchanger converts the water intohigh pressure steam 41; providing a steam turbine 42 and supplying thehigh pressure steam 41 to the steam turbine to produce a mechanicalenergy output 43; providing an electrical generator 44, and coupling theelectrical generator to the mechanical energy output to generateelectrical power 45; and supplying the electrical power 45 to create theionized oxygen gas 92 over the solution 70. As should be understood, thesupplying of the electrical power generated by the nuclear reactor tothe anode 90 and the submerged cathode 80 creates an oxygen plasma 92over the aqueous solution of the sodium borate and water 70 and whichfurther facilitates the chemical generation of sodium borohydride fromthe same solution 70.

OPERATION

The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention isbelieved to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.

An apparatus for practicing the claimed method of creating a chemicalhydride 10 is shown the drawing. The method of the present inventionincludes providing a pseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor 60 having topand bottom surfaces 61 and 62, and which further defines a cavity 64. Anaqueous solution of sodium metaborate and water 70, is received in thecavity 64 of the pseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor. A cathode 80 isfixedly mounted on the bottom surface 62 of thepseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor and is further disposed in fluidic,ohmic electrical contact with the aqueous solution 70. An anode 90 ismoveably mounted on the top surface of the pseudo-plasma-electrolysisreactor and which selectively moves into, and out of fluidic, ohmicelectrical contact with the aqueous solution 70. A nuclear reactor whichhas a hot gas output 15 provides heat energy. A first heat exchanger isprovided and is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the hotgas exhaust 15 and is operable to absorb the heat energy of the hot gasexhaust flowing therethrough. The first heat exchanger is furtherdisposed in fluid flowing relation relative to the cavity 64 of thepseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor 60. As described above, the aqueoussolution 70 flows through the first heat exchanger 20 to absorb the heatenergy provided by the hot gas exhaust to increase the temperaturethereof. A second heat exchanger 30 is provided and is disposed in fluidflowing relation relative to the hot gas exhaust 15 and further isoperable to absorb the heat energy of the hot gas exhaust flowingtherethrough. A source of water 40 is coupled in fluid flowing relationrelative to the second heat exchanger 30, and wherein the source ofwater absorbs the heat energy previously absorbed by the second heatexchanger 30 and is converted into a source high pressure steam 41. Asteam turbine 42 is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to thesecond heat exchanger and is operable to receive the source of highpressure steam and which further produces a mechanical energy output 43.A generator 44 is coupled to the mechanical energy output of the steamturbine and generates a source of electricity 45 which is selectivelysupplied to the anode 90 and the cathode 80. An actuator 66 is coupledin force transmitting relation relative to the anode and which moves theanode 90 into and out of fluidic contact with the aqueous solution. Inoperation, the actuator, when energized, moves the anode 90 into fluidicohmic electrical contact with the aqueous solution, and wherein,following contact of the anode 90 with aqueous solution, the source ofelectricity 45 is applied to the anode 90 and the cathode 80 to createan electrical current in the aqueous solution, and which facilitates aninitial electrolysis of the aqueous solution. The actuator is thenenergized to move the anode 90 out of fluidic, ohmic electrical contactwith the aqueous solution to form an oxygen plasma 92 therebetween theanode and the aqueous solution. The formation of the oxygen plasma 92facilitates the chemical reaction of the sodium metaborate and watersolution 70 to enhance the production of oxygen gas which is ventedthrough the gas passageway 65 to ambient, and a resulting sodiumborohydride in the aqueous solution.

Therefore it will be seen that the present invention provides aconvenient means whereby a chemical hydride can be economically formedby utilizing the energy and heat output of a nuclear reactor in a mannernot possible heretofore.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described inlanguage more or less specific as to structural and methodical features.It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited tothe specific features shown and described, since the means hereindisclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the proper scope of the appended claimsappropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine ofequivalents.

1. A method of forming a borohydride, comprising: providing an aqueoussolution of metaborate; and creating an electrical current in theaqueous solution of metaborate to form an ionized oxygen gas over theaqueous solution of metaborate to encourage the formation of theborohydride in the aqueous solution.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1,and wherein after the step of providing an aqueous solution ofmetaborate, and before the step of creating an electrical current in theaqueous solution, the method further comprises: providing apseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor which encloses the aqueous solutionof metaborate.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 2, and wherein the stepof providing a pseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor further comprises:providing a cathode which is mounted in a fixed location in thepseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor and which is further in electricalcontact with the aqueous solution of metaborate; providing an anodewhich is moveably mounted in the pseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor;moving the anode into, and out of, direct fluid contact with the aqueoussolution of metaborate; and providing a source of electrical power andcoupling the source of electrical power to the anode and the cathode. 4.A method as claimed in claim 3, and wherein the step of creating theelectrical current in the aqueous solution of metaborate to form anionized oxygen gas further comprises: first, moving the anode intodirect fluid contact with the aqueous solution of metaborate; second,energizing the anode and the cathode to create an electrical currentthrough the aqueous solution of metaborate and between the anode and thecathode to establish an initial conventional electrolysis to generatethe ionized oxygen gas at the anode; and third, while generating theionized oxygen gas, moving the anode out of fluid contact with theaqueous solution of metaborate to create the ionized oxygen gas over theaqueous solution of metaborate.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 1, andfurther comprising: providing a gas cooled nuclear reactor which has ahot gas exhaust having heat energy; providing a first heat exchangercoupled in fluid flowing relation relative the hot gas exhaust, andwherein the first heat exchanger absorbs a portion of the heat energyfrom the hot gas exhaust; coupling the aqueous solution of metaborate influid flowing relation relative to the first heat exchanger; and whereinthe heat energy absorbed by the first heat exchanger heats the aqueoussolution of metaborate to a temperature; providing a second heatexchanger coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the hot gasexhaust, and wherein the second heat exchanger absorbs a portion of theheat energy from the hot gas exhaust; providing a source of water to thesecond heat exchanger, and wherein the heat energy absorbed by thesecond heat exchanger converts the water into high pressure steam;providing a steam turbine and supplying the high pressure steam to thesteam turbine to produce a mechanical energy output; providing anelectrical generator and coupling the electrical generator to themechanical energy output to generate electrical power; and supplying theelectrical power to create the ionizing gas over the solution.
 6. Amethod of forming sodium borohydride, comprising: providing apseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor defining a cavity; providing acathode and mounting the cathode in a fixed location in the cavity;providing a moveable anode, and mounting the anode for movement withinthe cavity; supplying an aqueous solution of sodium metaborate, to thecavity of the pseudo-plasma-electrolysis reactor and wherein the cathodeis submerged in the aqueous solution; providing a nuclear reactor whichsimultaneous heats the aqueous solution of the sodium metaborate, andfurther generates electrical power; and supplying the electrical powergenerated by the nuclear reactor to the anode and the submerged cathodeto create an ionized oxygen plasma over the aqueous solution of thesodium metaborate and which facilitates the chemical generation ofsodium borohydride.
 7. A method as claimed in claim 6, and wherein thestep of supplying the electrical power generated by the nuclear reactorto the anode and the cathode to create an oxygen plasma furthercomprises: submerging the anode into the aqueous solution to place it indirect, fluidic, ohmic electrical contact with the aqueous solution ofthe sodium metaborate; supplying the electrical power generated by thenuclear reactor to the submerged anode and cathode to facilitateconventional electrolysis; and moving the previously submerged anode outof direct fluidic contact with the solution of the sodium metaborate toform the oxygen plasma.